November 28, 2012

"Ulupalakua Sparkles" will celebrate the blessing and renewal of King David Kalakaua's Hula Circle with hula and entertainment from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Maui's Winery and Ulupalakua Ranch Store.

Hula dancers will perform in the newly transformed circle as part of the Sunday Drive event.

Kahu Dane Maxwell, grandson of the late Uncle Charlie Maxwell, will bless the Hula Circle at 12:15 p.m., followed by dancing and singing within the circle by Gordean Bailey's Wehiwehi O Leilehua at 12:45 p.m.

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‘Ulupalakua Sparkles’ will include hula and singing by Gordean Bailey and Hulau Hula Wehiwehi O Leilehua.

The celebration will continue with siblings Amy Hanaiali'i and Eric Gilliom performing on the winery grounds at 2 p.m.

Longtime Maui musician and firefighter Jarret Roback will play Hawaiian contemporary and jazz music on the lanai of the Ranch Store from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The King Kekaulike High School Wind Ensemble will also perform, starting at 11 a.m.

Lunch fare will be available at Ulupalakua Ranch Store Deli & Grill from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kalakaua, known as the Merrie Monarch, would watch his dancers perform in the Hula Circle, planted in the 1870s. The trees stood for almost 150 years, until March winds brought down two of the 145-foot trunks, revealing the unsafe condition of all.

To preserve the circle's meaning, Maui's Winery asked local artist Tim Garcia to carve the trunks in a way that tells their story. The result is a sculpture garden of ancient Hawaiian guardians, obelisks, an infinity vessel and the figure of Kalakaua with his arm raised.